Near the historic center of Trento, the MUSE – the Science Museum designed by the architect Renzo Piano is a state-of-the-art museum space focused on environmental issues.

It brings together nature, science, technology as well as analyzing ethical and social problems in an interesting exhibition.

The section dedicated to the relationship between man, energy and climate with insights on sustainable development, renewable sources and energy savings is very interesting.

The museum is divided into 4 floors above ground and 2 underground floors where you can visit a permanent exhibition space, temporary exhibition spaces, a tropical greenhouse, the library and educational workshops, the conference room, the shop and the cafeteria.

Sustainable architecture

The building is built following the principles of sustainability, using locally sourced materials. It uses solar and geothermal energy, photovoltaic cells, solar panels and heat exchange probes. A home automation system ensures water savings, optimal heating, ventilation and natural lighting.

It is part of the cultural and scientific center called “Le Albere”.

In the neighborhood adjacent to the museum, a residential and commercial area develops with particular attention to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency of the buildings surrounded by a large urban park.

THE EXHIBITION PATH

The architecture of the MUSE of Trento is inspired by the peaks of the surrounding mountains.

The exhibition itinerary of the Muse uses the metaphor of the mountain to narrate life on Earth. From the glacier to the tropical forest.

The route starts from the top, from the top, down, leading the visitor to discover ecosystems and geomorphological conformations.

The “highest” exhibition spaces of the Museum show the high altitude peaks and an overview of the geological and biological elements of the Alpine and Dolomite environment.

On the fourth floor, the theme of ice and sun is tackled and then goes down to deepen the themes of biodiversity, sustainability, evolution, up to the basement and the wonder of the tropical greenhouse.

A reconstruction of a glacial environment allows us to recognize the elements that characterize the dynamics of glaciers.

The labyrinth of alpine biodiversity

In this section of the museum the uniqueness of life in the Alps is presented.

The Alps, and in particular Trentino, contain a veritable vertical mosaic of different environments, populated by perfectly adapted and therefore unique animal and plant species.

A setting that helps to revive the emotions experienced in nature, showing the wild animals of the mountains.

Geology of the Dolomites

The Alps, and in particular the Dolomites, thanks to the particularity, the history of formation and the landscape have obtained the recognition of UNESCO natural heritage signed in 2009.

On the second floor, the exhibition itinerary introduces the knowledge of the evolution of the Alps and the evolution of their formation.

A leap into Prehistory

A spiral structure invites the visitor to enter the world of prehistory. The main local finds kept at the Science Museum are displayed in showcases that illustrate the main stages of cultural, economic and social evolution in the prehistory of the Alps.

From the Neanderthal man to the Homo sapiens, to the introduction of agriculture and breeding in the Neolithic period and the great technological innovation of metalworking in protohistory.

Reproductions of human figures intent on daily activities enrich the exhibition path and videos favor the suggestion and emotion of living in prehistoric times.

An exciting journey through time to discover the life of our prehistoric ancestors, from hunting trips to high mountain altitudes, to clay working and life on stilts.

The Maxi Ooh!

A space for children from 0 to 5 years old where young visitors can discover, understand, observe, try, using the SENSES.

The Maxi Ooh! Exhibition space is a section that allows you to experiment through the senses. It is a neutral place in lines and colors, almost suspended, waiting for children to enter the rooms.

It is a free space, without indications, where even the adult does not teach, but participates in amazement.

Floors, walls, sensor rooms, virtual and real react and change together with the space and its possible uses.

The memories of a lifetime

In this gallery the fossil remains accompany us on an incredible journey through deep time, from the appearance of the first molecules to the evolution of dinosaurs and mammals following the red thread of “our” history.

The part dedicated to terrestrial reptiles houses one of the largest archives in Europe of fossil footprints of paleozoic and mesozoic reptiles and dinosaurs.

On the traces of the great reptiles one can recognize their characteristic footprints and admire the imposing life-size skeletons. The dinosaur gallery leads on a journey through habits, exceptional discoveries and traces of their passage also in the Italian and Dolomite territory.

Large aquariums: water islands, laboratories of evolution

Before entering the tropical greenhouse, the visitor will find a series of large aquariums. The fish that are housed there are representative of the fish biodiversity of the great lakes and rivers of Tanzania: Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, River Kilombero.

The tropical greenhouse: Udzungwa, an Afromontana rainforest

With a surface of 600 square meters, the tropical greenhouse recreates at the MUSE a strip of the rainforest of the Udzungwa Mountains, a center of diversity and endemism of East Tropical Africa in Tanzania.

Crossing the threshold of the greenhouse, the visitor is welcomed by the warm and humid embrace of the tropics, entering the pristine forests of tropical Africa, between waterfalls and vertical walls, between swirling waters and a lush forest.

Tree ferns, wild banana trees and the giant bean, a luxuriant vegetation that accompanies the visitor on his journey to discover the traditional crops between vegetable gardens and villages passing through a small market where you can observe tropical fruit and vegetables.

The greenhouse also houses animals, birds and reptiles such as the chameleon.

The setting of the greenhouse makes us reflect on the issues of globalization and sustainability, illustrating the research and international cooperation projects for the protection of forests and the fight against poverty, inviting the visitor and actively supporting them.

The visit to MUSE is certainly an appointment not to be missed.